in a general sense, denotes immutability, or invariableness.—In ethics, or when applied to the human mind, the term implies resolution or steadiness, particularly under sufferings and the trials of adversity.

It was the saying of a heathen philosopher, That there cannot be imagined upon earth a spectacle more worthy the regard of the Creator intent on his works, than a brave man superior to his sufferings. Nothing indeed can be more noble or honourable than to have courage enough to execute the commands of reason and conscience; to maintain the dignity of our nature, and the station assigned us; and to be proof against poverty, pain, and death itself, so far as not to do any thing that is scandalous or sinful to avoid them. To be thus, is to be great above title and fortune. This argues the soul of an heavenly extraction, and is worthy the offspring of the Deity.

Of this virtue the following example, related in English. Sir William Askew of Kellay, in Lincolnshire, had several daughters. His second, named Anne, had received a genteel education; which, with an agreeable figure and good understanding, rendered her a very proper person to be at the head of a family. Her father, regardless of his daughter's inclination and happiness, obliged her to marry a gentleman who had nothing to recommend him but his fortune, and who was a most bigoted Papist. No sooner was he convinced of his wife's regard for the doctrines of the reformation from popery, than, by the instigation of the priests, he violently drove her from his house, though she had borne him two children, and her conduct was unexceptionable. Abandoned by her husband, she came up to London, in order to procure a divorce, and to make herself known to that part of the court who either professed or were favourers of Protestantism: but as Henry VIII. with consent of parliament, had just enacted the law of the six articles, commonly called the bloody statute, she was cruelly betrayed by her own husband; and, upon his information, taken into custody, and examined concerning her faith. The act above-mentioned denounced death against all those who should deny the doctrine of transubstantiation; or, that the bread and wine made use of in the sacrament was not converted after consecration into the real body and blood of Christ; or, maintain the necessity of receiving the sacrament in both kinds; or affirm, that it was lawful for priests to marry; that the vows of celibacy might be broken; that private masses were of no avail; and that auricular confession to a priest was not necessary to salvation. Upon these articles she was examined by the inquisitor, a priest, the lord-mayor of London, and the bishop's chancellor; and to all their queries gave proper and pertinent answers; but not being such as they approved, she was sent back to prison, where she remained eleven days to ruminate alone on her alarming situation, and was denied the small consolation of a friendly visit. The king's council being at Greenwich, she was once more examined by chancellor Wriothesley, Gardiner bishop of Winchester, Dr Cox, and Dr Robinson; but not being able to convince her of her supposed errors, she was sent to the Tower. Mr Strype, from an authentic paper, gives us the following short account of her examination, which may not, perhaps, be unentertaining or useless to the reader: "Sir Martin Bowes (lord mayor) sitting with the council, as most meet for his wisdom, and seeing her stand upon life and death, I pray you, quoth he, my lords, give me leave to talk to this woman? Leave was granted. Lord Mayor. Thou foolish woman, sayest thou that the priest cannot make the holy body of Christ? A. Askew. I say so, my lord: for I have read that God made man; but that man made God I never read; nor I suppose ever shall read it. Lord Mayor. No! Thou foolish woman, after the words of consecration, is it not the Lord's body? A. Askew. No: it is but consecrated bread, or sacramental bread. Lord Mayor. What if a mouse eat it after consecration; what shall become of this mouse? what sayest thou, thou foolish woman? A. Askew. What shall become of her, say you, my lord? Lord Mayor. I say, that the mouse is damned.